Auxiliary-air-admission device



June 3, 1930.- E. H. STEPP AUXILIARY AIR ADMISSION DEVICE Filed Aug. 29, 1927 Patented June 3, 1930 UNI-TED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDDIE H. STEPP, OEKNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF'TO HORACE VAN DEVENTER, OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE AUxILIAnY-AIR-AnmssmN DEVICE Application filed August 29, 1927. Serial No. 216,198.

This inventionrelates to improvements in devices for preparing fuel mixtures for internal combustion engines, and more particularly refers to an injector for the admission of auxiliary air into a pre-formed fuel mixture.

It has heretofore been proposed to admit auxiliary or secondary air into a pre-formed fuel mixture to dilute the same and make it more lean for runing. The present invention relates to a structure adapted for this purpose which demonstrates a particular advantage in that the admitted auxiliary air is thoroughly and intimately mixed with the other constituents of the charge: and the final mixture as delivered to the engine itself is homogeneous and ready for instant combustion.

Another object of this invention is tov provide a simple and easily constructed and assembled device of this type, with easily operable controls for governing the quantity of auxiliary air to be admitted.

One form of execution of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view on the line,

1-1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2'-2 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a detail end elevation of the auxiliary air inlet.

The present structure is to be connected between the carburetor and the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine; and comprises a chamber located in the path of movement of the fuel mixture, this chamber having a large number of apertures in its wall for the admission of secondary or auxiliary air. An annular outer chamber is provided for delivering the air to these apertures, the admission of air to this annular chamber being itselfcontrolled bya suitable flow regulating device and butter- I fly valve. In particular this butterfly valve is operated in proportion to the movement of the carburetor throttle.

In the accompanying drawings, the outlet end 10 of the carburetor structure is proand packed with regard thereto by the bolts 17 and gasket 18. The bottom casting '13 likewise is formed with a cylindrical wall 19 extending upwardly from the bottom plate 20 proper. The upper casting 14: likewise has a substantially cylindrical wall 21 in spaced relationship with the inner wall 19-whereby to provide an annular space 22 around the inner wall 19. The bottom plate 20 extends beyond the inner wall 19 and furnishes a seat for the outwardly directed flange 23 of the outer wall 21. A gasket 24 assures a tight joint between the plate 20 and flange 23: and a similar gasket 25 is located between the upper edge of the inner wall 19 and the casting 14. screws 26 are employed to hold the two members rigidly assembled. The outer wall 21 is provided with a lateral oifset 27 having a regulating butterfly or throttle, valve 28 therein which may be actuated by the external lever 29. The end of the lateral branch 27 is closed by a cap 30 (Fig. 3) having three apertures 31 therein, each amounting substantially to one-sixth part of the end surface. The closing plate 32 is pivotally mounted with respect to the end cap 30 by a rivet 33: and likewise has three spaced apertures. It will be understood that by suitable rotation of the closing plate 32 the area of passage through the apertures 31 may be suitably regulated.

The inner cylindrical wall 19 is provided with two rows of small apertures 35, 36,-the apertures of the lower row 35 being inclined individually at lesser angles to the horizontal plane than the corresponding apertures 36 of the upper row. The preferred angle for the axes of these apertures, is 42 for the upper row of apertures 36, and 32 for the lower row of apertures 35, in each instance being taken with respect to a plane passing at right angles to the axis of the connections Cap,

10, 40. These apertures severally lead from the annular space 22 to the interior space of the cylindrical wall 19.

The upper casting 14 is provided with a flange 37 which is sealed by a gasket 38 with respect to the connecting flange 39 of the engine manifold intake 40; the flanges 37 and 39 being assembled with respect to each other by the bolts 41.

A connecting link 42 for control of the carburetor throttle is shown as attached to the operating lever 29 of the valve 28: and in turn is connected by a similar link 43 to the operating lever12 of the throttle valve 11 itself. It will be noted that as the throttle valve 11 is opened the regulating valve 28 is likewise opened. In this way as the throttle is opened to admit a greater volume of fuel to the engine for high speed, a greater quantity of auxiliary air is admitted so that the mixture becomes more lean as the engine speed is to be increased.

As the fuel mixture flows through the carburetor outlet 10 past the throttle valve 11 it enters the space within the inner wall 19 and then passes upward and out through the intake manifold 40 to the engine cylinders. On its way throu h the space within the cylindrical wall 19 the suction from the engine causes air to be drawn through the apertures 35, 36 from the annular space 22, and these minute jets of air drive inward and thoroughly mix with the passing fuel mixture from the carburetor so that a very uniform combustible gas passes through the intake manifold 40. It will particularly be noted that the jets of air through the two sets of apertures impinge upon each other anc are caused to spread out substantially in a sheet in the path of flow of the primary mixture, greatly assisting the production of the uniform charge. The relative. quantity of auxiliary or secondary air is regulated in the first place by the rotation of the closure plate 32 and in the second place by the control of the valve 28 from the throttle according to the desired engine speed.

In order to provide for the moistening of the air, apipe connection 50 leading for example from the radiator of the motor car or a separate water container is in communication by the connection 51 with the interior of the lateral tube 27, and a small valve or petcock 52 is provided to regulate the delivery of water thereto. This water enters the lateral chamber 27 and mixed with the air therein, so that a moist air is drawn forward through the apertures 35, 36 and thence forced under the differential pressure existing between the air in the annular chamber 22 and the fuel mixture under the suction of the engine in the inner chamber, and thoroughly and intimately mixed with the fuel charge on its passage to the internal combustion engine cylinder.

It is obvious that the invention is not limited solely to the specific form of employment illustrated, but that it may be embodied in many structures within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An auxiliary air admission device for employment between a carburetor and the intake of an internal combustion comprising a chamber traversed by the fuel mixture, an outer jacket defining an annular space about said chamber, and means to regulate the flow of air into said space, said chamber having a plurality of rows of apertures therethrough so that jets of air flow from the annular space into the interior of said chamber by the suction effect of the engine, the apertures being constructed and arranged so that an aperture of each row delivers its jet in convergence with the adjacent jet of an aperture of the other row.

11 auxiliary air admission device for employment between a carburetor and the intake of an internal combustion engine, comprising an upper member and lower member with packing and securing means to hold said members together and seal them with respect to each other and the atmosphere: said upper member having a connection for the engine intake, a lateral branch having an air inlet aperture-and an outer jacket portion, said lower member having a connection for the carburetor, and an apertured inner jacket defining an annular space in conjunction with said outer jacket, said members having hollow conduit connections adapted to be connected respectively to the said intake and the said carburetor, the diameter of the space within said inner jacket being greater than the diameter of such conduits.

3. An auxiliary air admission device for employment between a carburetor and the intake of an internal combustion engine, comprising an upper member and a lower member, said upper member having a connection for the engine intake, an outer jacket, and a lateral branch having an air inlet aperture into said outer jacket; said lower member having a carburetor connection substantially alined with said engine connection of the upper member, an apertured inner jacket defining an annular space in conjunction with said outer jacket and presenting a chamber between said connections of substantially greater cross-section than the passage in either connection, and a flange projecting beyond said inner' jacket, and securing and packing means joining and sealing said outer jacket and said. flange.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

EDDIE H. STEPP.

engine, 

